Our Doctors
Dr. James E. Craigie, MD
Home: James Island
Education: M.D. Medical University of South Carolina: B.S. Erskine College
Residencies: Medical University of South Carolina; Fellowship. Louisiana State University Medical Center
Specialties: Breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast surgeries, body contouring.
Certifications: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Family: Wife. Diane Craigie (an artist and interior designer), and two young children, Connor and Caroline.
Some of Dr. James Craigie's earliest memories are of afternoons spent at hospitals with his father, a general surgeon. "I liked to go with him on call and see the things that he did," Dr. Craigie says. Today, Dr. Craigie is an accomplished surgeon himself, conducting 70-100 breast reconstruction surgeries each year, along with all types of cosmetic and post-cancer reconstructive surgeries. "My main goal is to help people, and I'm excited to do that through the diversity and creative potential of plastic surgery."
His constant aim is to bring state-of-the-art techniques to patients in our region along with the best possible results. "I am fortunate to be passionate about my career and to work with people who share the same enthusiasm for plastic surgery." Before joining East Cooper Plastic Surgery, Dr. Craigie opened a general plastic surgery practice in North Carolina and completed advanced training in micro-vascular breast reconstruction (for women who've had a mastectomy). He is one of a limited number of doctors who perform the specialized surgery, considered the "gold standard" in breast reconstruction techniques. "To do this complicated surgery, you have to have extensive training and a strong commitment." Dr. Craigie says. "We saw there was a real need for this procedure, that many women that could be helped."
Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr., M.D.
Home: James Island
Education: M.D., Medical University of South Carolina; B.S., Furman University
Residencies: The Cleveland Clinic, Louisiana State University Medical Center
Specialties: Craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery
Certification: Board certified in Plastic Surgery and General Surgery; member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Family: Wife, Dr. Elizabeth Kline (cardiothoracic surgeon)
Dr. Kline's combination of experience and his enthusiasm for his work is obvious. "I have the dream practice," he says, of the acclaimed East Cooper Plastic Surgery that he founded in 2000. "The beauty of plastic surgery," Dr. Kline says, studying images, "is that the pictures say it all." By design, he says, the practice offers a wide spectrum of procedures, and is the only private practice in the region doing microsurgery. Dr. Kline says he's particularly proud of the practice's outstanding nursing and administrative staff. "I think the patients can sense — from the minute they call — that we are competent, honest and friendly. Everyone here loves the work that we do."
Born and raised on James Island, Dr. Kline lives near his childhood home and his parents. His wife, Elizabeth, is also a surgeon and the two met in the operating room.